The day of the two ferries

I noted in my post yesterday morning that language in Canada often uses similar phrases to English English not American English - at breakfast yesterday morning this included jam not jelly. The signs for what we call Road Works are interesting though: here they are 'Construction' whereas in the US they are 'Road Work' though in the US they don't use portable traffic lights, but people holding 'stop or slow' poles, whereas Canada uses traffic lights. On a related point, two days ago we encountered out first roundabout since we have been on this continent. Yesterday we saw some more. Yes Canada is definitely more like the homeland than the southern cousins.

Yesterday started in Charlottetown with the complementary continental breakfast in the Best Western - Drew had two muffins, a blueberry one and a malty one. I had a bagel with Cream cheese on one half and a boiled egg on the other. We then drove 40 miles to the Wood Islands Ferry which took us across to Nova Scotia. The ferry, the MV Holiday Island, had a pleasant steady speed, meaning it was hardly noticeable that we were moving. We had a coffee on board and Drew took lots of pictures of our departure from Prince Edward Island and arrival in Nova Scotia. Where there was a lovely little lighthouse.

We landed in Pictou - the first scottish settlers arrived here as we were doing. From Pictou we went to the City of New Glasgow which is a large industrial town, well large by local standards.
We then moved into some beautiful green countryside with loads and loads of Pine Trees. Between the forests are some eye pleasing verdant meadows Though Drew notes that in spite of the Scottish influence there are no Haggis farms yet!!

The weather has been great today, since we got to Nova Scotia is has been warm and sunny -79 Fahrenheit for most of the day. As I was taking photos for this part of the journey you don't get all the signs I meant to get, often glimpses of them in the background when the photo looks like it is of something else (e.g. A passing vehicle or some trees!). Apologies, normal service will resume when I am driving and Drew is taking the photos.

Given our timings for the day, and the fact that we have to return via the NS5 when we get back from Newfoundland, instead of heading straight for North Sydney (the Ferry Port) we took the more scenic NS4 along the Bras D'Or Lake to Sydney. It really was a pretty route running for the whole distance beside the lake. We stopped for dinner at the Seal Cove Restaurant in Louisdale. The restaurant and lounge was populated by locals and from the quality of the food I can see why. Though the outside was nothing special to look at and the inside was plain, it had a lovely homely feel. Today being Friday the 'daily special' was Fish and Chips, so I gave it a try. The fish was five small tail pieces of Haddock in a light batter. There was no sign of fat on the fish or its batter, so I assume it had been grilled. Drew opted for a Cheeseburger and Fries, he said the meat was juicy and the cheese wasn't typical burger cheese but 'proper' cheese. I guess he liked it, as the plate was emptied in no time.

We continued on along the lake enjoying lovely views of green trees rolling down into crystal blue water. We have less photos of the lake than we might as it was on the driver's side for most of the way, still we were there so could enjoy it in the flesh.
Once we were in the NS4 many of the villages had their names in English and Gaelic, Balle Iain was one I could translate - Johnstown - the others I wasn't able to spell!!
The lake was full of speed boats and yachts, at our stop we heard people talking about going water skiing, but didn't spot anyone doing it.

We arrived at Sydney at 4.00, went for a seaside drive via New Waterford and stopped in Sydney to take photos.
Sydney is most famous for two things: the first being the location of the gathering of many of the great convoy runs from Canada and the US to Britain during the Second World War; this is celebrated by a seaside monument. The second is that it is named after the first Viscount Sydney (Thomas Townsend) who was Home Secretary at the time of its founding and appointed the Governor of the region who named the town in his honour, something that happened two years later in New South Wales where the other Sydney is also named for him.
From Sydney we drove the 25 miles around the estuary to North Sydney, the major seaport in this part of Canada. Here we eat at the Waterside Restaurant.

For starters I had 1lb of Chicken Wings with hot dipping sauce , it was not deliberate but it is a week since I last had wings - 7 days ago in Ruby Tuesdays, Cardiff. The hot sauce was really hot, like the habernero Tabasco you can buy, but it complimented the chicken really well. However I did manage to drip some of the sauce on my shirt, it was bright red against the yellow shirt, however the waitress appeared with a product my sister always recommends (and has asked us to buy for her while out here) - Tide to go, a stain remover - I'm really impressed Janet, it did the trick, I must buy some for myself as well as you.

Drew had salmon and haddock fish cakes, three of them, he always seems to be getting big portions this holiday, still he managed them all.

For mains I had sausage and pepper tortellini in a light tomato sauce, served with two pieces of garlic ciabatta. it was a nice change and just what I needed before heading on to the boat. Drew had a lovely piece of Pork Tenderloin, it was cooked to perfection and well flavoured. It came with garlic mushrooms over it and carrots, asparagus, cauli, broccoli and sautéed potatoes.  It was great.  

Drew finished off with Coconut cream pie which was a pie with Coconut bakers' custard and a Coconut meringue served with a caramel sauce; he was really pleased with it.

From the restaurant it was a three minute drive to the Ferry port where we boarded the ferry.

Driving on to the Marine Atlantic Ferry was easy and we got to our room cabin (8310) quickly. It was as large as some student accommodation I have stayed at in UK universities during conferences. It has two beds, a TV and a lovely shower room and toilet, as many of you know I'm not a small person and the shower was big enough for me without me being cramped. 

Two ferries in one day, and a beautiful drive, I really couldn't ask for me